Removal men are on standby to clear out the offices of up to SIXTEEN Cabinet ministers.

It shows that Gordon Brown plans a massacre of his top team in the wake of the MPs' expenses scandal. He wants to give his Government a whole new look to win back angry voters.

One Commons official said: "We have never been asked to do so many offices all at once."

The PM is expected to make the changes after the local and European polls on June 4.

But Peter Kenyon of Labour's ruling national executive said: "A purge ahead of the elections is needed. I am struggling to find any conceivable reason for Gordon Brown to wait a day longer."

Workers were told last week that they may be needed to shift the ministers from their Parliamentary offices with no notice. One removal man said: "We were told up to 16 offices could be involved."

No minister is safe but those heading the list for the chop are Home Secretary Jacqui Smith and Communities Secretary Hazel Blears.

A top aide said: "The PM wanted rid of them anyway but he now has the justification."

Homes

The taxpayer paid for porn for Ms Smith's husband while Hazel Blears was forced to write a £13,000 cheque for capital gains tax on the sale of her London flat.

Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon and Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell are also on the hit list. Both are accused of "flipping" homes and avoiding tax on home sales - though Mr Brown said neither had broken rules.

Foreign Secretary David Miliband could be replaced by Business Secretary Lord Mandelson.

Revelations that Mr Miliband claimed £30,000 for doing up his South Shields home, including £180 every three months for the garden, could do for him.